The suit also stated it “undermined the conduct of every other Yahoo employee” that had met promises to keep confidential information close.

The case is expected to have a cooling effect on further potential leaks from corporations to journalists, which is concerning free speech advocates.

California-based Peter Scheer told SiliconBeat the judge should have dismissed the case because the information did not contain trade secrets.

Yahoo didn’t comment on the settlement, though it had labeled Lal as a ‘former rogue employee’ in the lawsuit. She was a senior director of product management before leaving after the leak last September.